Rhys
"Why..." I slowly began, swallowing the lump in my throat as I fought to keep my voice steady. I couldn't let my past ruin today. "Why didn't you come forward earlier if you knew what you did was wrong, Father? Why didn't you show your face all this time? Even Linda had a change of heart—she came back and apologized for everything she did. But you... you stayed away. You let me carry the brunt of your sins. If I hadn't met Kayden, I would still be living in your shadow. I would still be that boy you controlled."
My father inhaled deeply, resting a heavy, warm palm gently on my shoulder.
"You may not believe this, Rhys, but I was so deeply ashamed of myself," he admitted quietly, lowering his eyes. "I was living in my own delusion for a long time until I finally realized that you didn't deserve a single second of the pain I caused you. I am so sorry, son. For everything." He paused, taking a step back and looking at me with a sorrowful expression.
